Spiritual Communion: A Complete Guide

There are times when you cannot receive the Eucharist sacramentally:

• No low-gluten host available
• No chalice offered
• Anxiety too high on a particular day
• Other circumstances

In these moments, the Church offers spiritual communion, a real connection with Christ that doesn’t require physical reception.

What Spiritual Communion Is

Spiritual communion is:

• A sincere desire to receive Christ
• Prayer expressing that desire
• Union with Christ through faith and love
• A practice with centuries of tradition

It’s not “pretend communion” or “second-best communion.” It’s a genuine encounter with Christ available to anyone who desires Him.

The Theological Basis

Church Teaching

The Council of Trent (16th century) affirmed that spiritual communion is real:

“Some receive the Eucharist sacramentally only… others spiritually only, those who, disposing themselves by faith and charity, receive with desire that celestial bread.”

The desire for communion, united with love, brings genuine spiritual fruit.

Saints on Spiritual Communion

St. Thomas Aquinas: Distinguished sacramental reception from spiritual reception, affirming both as real.

St. Alphonsus Liguori: “If we cannot make a Sacramental Communion, let us at least make a Spiritual Communion, and this we can do as often as we wish.”

St. John Paul II: Encouraged spiritual communion for those who cannot receive sacramentally.

The Reality

Spiritual communion is:

• A participation in the Eucharistic mystery
• An increase in grace
• A genuine encounter with Christ
• Not equal to sacramental reception but genuinely beneficial

When to Make a Spiritual Communion

During Mass

If you can’t receive sacramentally:

• As others approach for communion
• After the priest’s communion
• Any moment during or after the Eucharistic prayer

Outside Mass

Anytime you desire union with Christ:

• During Eucharistic adoration (when not receiving)
• When passing a church with the Blessed Sacrament
• Daily prayer
• During illness
• In times of spiritual need

For Celiacs Specifically

• When no GF option is available
• When anxiety makes physical reception too difficult today
• When traveling and options are uncertain
• Regularly, as a supplement to (not replacement for) sacramental reception

Prayers for Spiritual Communion

Traditional Prayer (attributed to St. Alphonsus Liguori)

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Shorter Form

Lord Jesus, I believe You are present in the Eucharist. I love You and desire You. Come spiritually into my heart. Never let me be separated from You.

Personal Form

Speak to Christ in your own words:

• Express your desire for Him
• Acknowledge your circumstances
• Ask Him to come to you spiritually
• Rest in His presence

Act of Desire

Jesus, I wish to receive You. Come to me now in any way You will.

How to Make a Spiritual Communion

Preparation

Like sacramental communion, spiritual communion benefits from preparation:

• Recollect yourself
• Turn your attention to Christ
• Acknowledge His presence in the Eucharist

The Act

• Pray the words (traditional or your own)
• Mean them, the desire is the essential thing
• Take a moment of silence
• Receive spiritually what you cannot receive physically

Thanksgiving

After spiritual communion:

• Thank Christ for coming to you
• Rest in His presence
• Pray for any intentions
• Return to Mass or continue your day

What to Expect

This Is Not Lesser

Don’t approach spiritual communion as second-class. You’re not being cheated. You’re receiving Christ in the way available to you.

Grace Is Real

The Church teaches that spiritual communion brings grace. You’re not pretending, something real happens.

It Won’t Feel Like Sacramental Reception

The experience is different:

• No physical sensation
• May feel more subtle
• Sometimes more profound
• Always real

Feelings Aren’t the Measure

Whether you “feel” anything isn’t the measure of whether something happened. Faith, not feelings, determines reality here.

Building the Practice

During Mass

When you can’t receive:

• As others go to communion, make your spiritual communion
• Use the time for the prayer above
• Don’t feel awkward remaining in the pew, many people do for many reasons

Daily Practice

Consider regular spiritual communion:

• During morning prayer
• When you see a church
• A midday pause
• Before bed

Frequent spiritual communion deepens your relationship with Christ.

With Physical Reception

Spiritual communion doesn’t replace sacramental reception, it supplements it. When you can receive sacramentally, do. When you can’t, spiritual communion fills the gap.

For Celiac-Specific Situations

At Mass Without Options

If your parish has no low-gluten hosts and no chalice:

• Make a spiritual communion
• Talk to the priest about options
• Consider this temporary while you advocate

On Travel

When you’re at an unfamiliar parish:

• Assess the situation
• If you can receive safely, receive
• If you can’t, make a spiritual communion
• Either way, you’re encountering Christ

On Hard Days

If anxiety is too high to receive safely:

• Spiritual communion is a valid response
• You’re not failing
• Christ comes to you anyway

A Prayer of Encouragement

Lord, I can’t receive You the way I wish today.

But I want You. I desire You. I love You.

Come to me spiritually. Fill what I cannot fill with bread and wine. Meet me where I am.

I trust that You are really present, really coming, really united to me in this moment.

Thank You for not leaving me without recourse. Thank You for spiritual communion.

Amen.

The Bottom Line

Spiritual communion is a gift. It’s the Church’s answer to “what do I do when I can’t receive?”

For celiacs, it’s a regular option, not because we’re excluded, but because sometimes circumstances make physical reception complicated.

Make it a practice. Trust its reality. Let Christ come to you however He can.